Topics: Copa del Rey, Barcelona, El Clásico, Real Madrid, Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta
Only one more player to beat for 'La Pulga' in the all-time list for Barcelona players with most El Clásico appearances.

He may not have started the game, but that did not stop Lionel Messi from reaching yet another milestone. 

The Argentine ace is now the second most-capped player for Barcelona when speaking about El Clásico games. Before the match started, Lionel Messi had played the same amount of games as his team-mate and friend Andrés Iniesta, but now, "La Pulga" has the second spot in that list all to himself.

With today's appearance, Messi surpassed Andrés Iniesta's tally with 39 games played against Los Blancos, leaving only Xavi Hernández ahead of him in that list. The former Number 6 played 42 games for Los Blaugranas against the Spanish capital side in his career, leaving the top spot up for grabs in the 2019-20 season, especially if Messi plays the two remaining Clásicos this month.

Speaking about the all-time list between both teams, Messi moved to the third spot overall, behind Sergio Ramos, who has played in 40 games (including tonight's clash). Gento and Xavi own the second spot between both teams with 42 matches against the bitter rivals, while Manuel Sanchís (Real Madrid) played 43 Clásicos.